The issue of an Energy label by an expert after 1 January takes long and proves to be even more expensive than previously indicated

5-2-2021 — 

It has been mandatory for a long time to hand over a definitive Energy label when renting or selling a home. Previously, you could easily make this application yourself online for approx. € 10.00. Since 1 January 2021, this is no longer possible and an expert is required to visit the house.

It now appears that this is very difficult in practice; there are too few qualified advisers with the correct papers to issue the new Energy label. This increases the waiting time in some regions to a few months! Moreover, the costs are considerably higher than indicated in advance by Minister Ollongren. It was expected that an energy label issued by an expert would cost approximately € 200.00. Now it appears that the costs are approximately € 300.00.

House sellers in particular were the victim of this, because since 1 January there must necessarily be a definitive Energy label because otherwise the house cannot be advertised on Funda. This is not such a big problem for landlords that want to rent out a house, because the rental platform Pararius is more important than Funda in the rental market. There will now be a transitional arrangement and the obligation to have an energy label before a house is placed on Funda has been suspended. Minister Ollongren says that enforcement will not take place until July 1, 2021.

According to the association Vereniging Eigen huis, which has issued several warnings in advance, Minister Ollongren introduced the measure too quickly. And homeowners in particular are now the victim, resulting in delays in the sales process. The association already indicated last year that the new label offers no added value for homeowners, but only gives higher costs.